Welcome to the new year! Did you miss me? I know you did. Before we get started, I need to let you guys know a few things:
1.) Happy 2011! Just wanted to say that officially! :)
2.) Hope you guys had a great holiday season!
3.) Once again, I apologize for the wait. Failed attempts at holiday stories, the holiday season, and studying for finals this week have been slowing me down. Geez, I sound like a broken record.
4.) For anyone that really cares, it was my birthday on Jan. 9. I am now officially one year older. YAY! :)
5.) Check out my newly updated profile, w/ all the great new stuff about my personality.
Well, now that we've gotten that out of the way, please enjoy the much-anticipated climax to the story. R&R!
Part 4
Brittany stood in front of Theodore's bedroom door at the Seville household, anxiously finger-combing her curls and rubbing her lips together to make sure her lip gloss was still thick and luscious on her lips. She couldn't wait to tell Theodore how much she changed; how much her heart ached when he wasn't around; how amazing he was; how handsome he was; and how everything about him made her heart flutter: his looks, the buttery soft leather jacket that accentuated his hair really well and have become a part of his character, the way he looked at her in admiration and awe of her beauty, the sweetness and ingenuity that made him adorable, his strong body, the way he smelled vaguely like cinnamon, the softness of his sweet, sweet lips…
Okay, so maybe she hadn't changed all that much.
But she was willing to change for him, either way.
She caught her reflection in the hall mirror. A confident, beautiful female chipmunk stared back, with long, loose auburn ringlets, heart-shaped face, rosy cheeks, puffy, thickly-glossed lips, a pink button nose, and a blessed body that curved in all the right places. The Chipette winked and blew her doppelganger a kiss, and then turned back to the door. A feeling of excitement rushed through her. This is it, she thought. I'm going to tell him. I want him. I need him. I have to have him. And if he didn't feel the same way…
Brittany slyly snuck another peek at herself in the full-length mirror, smoothing her low-cut V-neck sweater against her chest and making sure her skinny jeans looked a lot tighter and butt-hugging than they actually were. I have other ways of making him change his mind.
Brittany nodded contently, then turned back to the closed door and knocked on it three times. Finally, she sighed. Everything will be perfect…
Everything is definitely perfect, Theodore thought as he snuggled deeper into the covers of his bed with Vanessa, who was breathing evenly, fast asleep.
Theodore leaned back and stared at the ceiling, thinking about last night. He couldn't believe he'd had the guts to sneak his girlfriend into his room that night, let alone sleep with her. But it was time, he told himself. She was there, and we couldn't let the way we were feeling go. She wanted me, and…and I felt the same way.
But it wasn't convincing him.
Theodore knew all too well that his mind was still on her, with her beautiful ice-blue eyes, her sweet yet overwhelming aroma of designer perfume, long, shiny reddish-brown hair, pretty face, sleek body, slightly controlling nature…
Yep, that was the one.
He knew that it was way too hard to forget her. He knew that sleeping with another girl would never make him ignore the feelings he felt for her. It was too late to turn back, though. He'd already given his virginity to Vanessa, and he was pretty sure he had hers as well.
Vanessa gently groaned from underneath him, wrapping her arms around him. She reached up to kiss his neck. "Morning, Teddy."
Theodore smiled and nuzzled her cheek with his nose, his heart lifting a little. "Morning, V. did you sleep well?"
She grinned slyly and gave him a few pecks on his lips. "Best night ever…"
Theodore chuckled quietly, kissing back.
The innocent little pecks almost instantly turned into a passionate lip lock that, once again, made Theodore mull over whether he still wanted to think about Brittany or keep making out with his beautiful, loving, sweet, also naked girlfriend that was already in bed with him. Vanessa pulled away, panting, and began to gnaw at his neck. He couldn't catch his breath, and gently rubbed her back, encouraging her to go further. She accepted this and began to suck at his collarbone.
Theodore sighed and closed his eyes, his breathing hard. Yeah…this feels right…I know it is. I shouldn't freak about this. But…what should I tell Brittany…?
Knock, knock. "Theodore?"
Theodore's eyes popped open. That couldn't be…
Vanessa stopped kissing his chest and stared at her boyfriend with wide eyes. "What's wrong, Teddy?"
Theodore blinked. He was obviously hearing things. "I thought I heard…" He shook his head. "It was nothing. I just thought I heard -"
"Theo, are you in there?" Knock.
Theodore stiffened. It was her…
And she was actually in his house…
Outside his bedroom door.
While he was sitting in bed with his naked girlfriend.
The knocks became more impatient. "Theodore, I know you're in there. Dave told me you were in here before he left."
Theodore untangled himself from Vanessa and his sheets, and nearly fell out of bed as he started to scramble around for some clothes. He grabbed his boxers from yesterday off the floor and put them on.
Vanessa's pool-blue eyes glowed from her position as she stared at her frenzied boyfriend. "What are you doing?"
He ignored her as he dug a pair of dark-wash jeans out of his closet and forced his legs through them.
Her scolding voice turned into a soft plead. "Please, Theodore, let me in. I really need to talk to you…"
Theodore's blood rushed through his whole body as he zipped the fly and then proceeded to find a grey t-shirt in one of his dresser drawers. He pulled it over his bare, muscular chest and shoved his head through the hole. Why am I so nervous? He thought as he nearly fell over trying to put his arms through the short sleeves. Why is this such a big deal to me? I mean, it's not like I have to try and impress her or anything. She's just a friend. Just a friend. A friend with shiny hair, crystal-blue eyes, soft lips, and the sexiest body I've ever touched…
"Theodore?"
Theodore shook his head, blushing. No! I can't think about her like that. She's just a friend that helped me hook up with the prettiest sophomore I've ever seen…
Isn't that enough?
"Theodore…?"
Theodore sighed. I should be happy. I have everything I've ever wanted. For the first time in my entire life, I have popularity. I have the perfect body. I have girls chasing me almost as much as Alvin and Simon. I even have a steady girlfriend, with whom I had sex the night before…
"The-o-dore…"
So…why am I not happy?
"Theodore!"
Theodore spun around and seemed to notice, for the first time in those few minutes, that Vanessa was still in the room, staring at him with curiously alluring dark blue eyes.
"Theodore, what are you doing?" she asked, giving him a sweet smile. "Is something the matter? And who's at your door?"
Theodore sighed again. He had never explained to her how Brittany and Theodore had ended up kissing in Brittany's kitchen…and he had hoped it would stay that way. But if Brittany was over his house, trying to say something to him, the secret wouldn't last too long.
So he did the thing he did best: act oblivious. "Uh…I don't know. But if someone's at the door, I should probably answer it, don't you think?"
"Yeah…" Vanessa's smile dimmed a little. "But are you sure you're okay? You're talking kind of fast and you seem all worked up just because someone's at the door."
"Uh… who knows?" Theodore shrugged. "It could be just a random person at the door or something."
Vanessa looked skeptical. "Okay…"
"Look, just stay quiet while I go out there, okay? Stay in the room."
Vanessa giggled, eyeing the three walls that separated the room from other rooms. "Okay, not much of a choice there." Then she batted her eyes. "But when you get back…I want to play a few games before I go home…" She winked and let the covers she was holding around her body slip a little on "accident."
But, to her disgust, his attention was diverted to the door.
He took a few breaths before darting out the door, leaving a cold, bare Vanessa all alone in his small room, in his small bed.
Theodore stumbled out of his bedroom, practically falling all over himself as he tripped over his feet and closed his bedroom door, nearly hitting Brittany in the process. He straightened up as quickly as he could, leaning against the door and trying to stop his flaming cheeks, rushed breath, and hammering heart.
It didn't work out in his favor too well, because, as he looked down at Brittany, her cheeks turned a cute shade of soft, shimmery rose, her lips were puffy and shiny and extremely kissable, her eyes had midnight-black eyeliner around it that made them look bigger and prettier, her hair was a little wind-blown but still shiny and bouncy and full of luster, and he just happened to be in a pretty good spot to sneak a peek down her shirt…
Not that he was thinking about it. Much.
"H-hey, Brittany," Theodore murmured as he leaned against the door, taking in her figure, her gaze, the sweet, soft scent of vanilla that floated around her. "How are you doing?"
Brittany blinked, taken a little by surprise. She had been absorbing his image as well, noting his scarlet cheek color, the way his shirt stuck to his chest, accenting his muscles, the way he was leaning against the door suggestively, as if he wanted to grab her and shove her inside, the way he hooked his thumbs in his jeans pockets coolly, how his lips looked so soft and relaxed, and how his hair looked tousled and rough, as if he just woken up. Her speech about how she wanted to be with him, how she had changed, how much she was willing to give up to be with him, had wandered out of her mind as soon as she laid her eyes on him.
He looks so amazing, Brittany thought, her tongue running over her teeth in her closed mouth. Damn, why did he have to date her? Why couldn't he just lust over me like every other guy in school? But, I guess that's what happens when you create a Zac Efron clone overnight… "Er, fine, I guess. How are you?"
"I'm fine." Theodore sighed, trying not to overly stare. "So, uh, how are things going?"
Brittany nodded awkwardly. "Great." She smiled softly. "Ha-have you been working on the project lately?"
He nodded contently. "Er… yeah. It's…it's coming along great."
She tucked a piece of her long hair behind her ears. "Yeah…Maybe I should come see it when it's done."
"Uh…maybe you can help me finish it. If you're not too busy, that is." He smiled.
"Maybe…" She bit her lip.
"Yeah…" he sighed.
"Yeah…" she murmured.
An awkward moment passed, their hearts pounding so hard they could hear it through their ears. But then, a small voice said quietly through the door, "Theodore…"
Theodore's scarlet cheeks turned beet-colored.
Brittany blinked, snapping out of her dreamy trance. "What was that?" She eyed the door.
"W-what was what?" Theodore said innocently, but as soon as he finished his sentence, a gentle moan floated from his room, followed by a lustful whisper, "Theodore…"
Brittany crinkled her brows. "That. Is…is someone in there, Theodore?"
"No! No. absolutely not, Britt-"
"Because if I'm interrupting something, I could go-"
"No! No, no, no, no, no. I…I think the TV might have accidentally come on in my room or something."
Brittany snorted. "Or something…"
Theodore heard another moan, and he gently opened the door. "J-just hold on a sec, o-okay?"
Brittany brushed her bangs out of her face. "Actually, I wanted to talk to you about something. Can I come in?"
"NO!" Theodore said a little too loudly.
Brittany stepped back a little, holding up her hands. "Okay, sorry. I didn't know your room was such a secret."
Theodore shifted his gaze between the moaning door and the prettiest girl in the school, who was noticeably starry-eyed as she watched him. "Just…stay there." He hated to leave her so quickly. "BRB!"
And before Brittany could respond, he had opened the door, darted behind it while barely opening it, and slammed it in Brittany's heart-shaped face, all in one smooth motion.
"Vanessa!" Theodore hissed at his girlfriend, leaning behind the door in exasperation and giving her an annoyed glare. "What was that all about? It sounds like I have a ghost in my room."
"Sorry, but I was so bored," Vanessa yawned, leaning back on the pillows. "You were outside talking to that girl for so long, and I'm getting cold without you to warm me up…" She gave a shiver. "This blanket is doing nothing for me." Vanessa gave him her flirtiest look, and dropped the part of the duvet that she used to cover her chest.
Not that Theodore was noticing her exposedness.
His mind was still drifting in the Sea of Brittany.
She's so pretty… Theodore thought, smiling. Especially when she's mad…
"Theodore!"
Theodore blinked. Vanessa was crouched on the bed, grinning slyly. She patted the empty spot next to her. "Why don't you come back, Theodore? It's much warmer over here, with me…"
It was then that he noticed she was naked.
Theodore shrieked and scrambled around his room, trying to find her clothes. "Vanessa! You've got to cover yourself before Brittany sees! Here, put this on."
"Why?" Vanessa asked innocently, eyeing the T-shirt he threw in her direction.
"If Brittany finds out you're in here, things are not going to go well," Theodore explained quickly, pulling a pair of black lace panties from underneath his bed and putting them next to her, "and neither of us will live to turn 18, trust me."
"Oh, I think I can take her on," Vanessa said, chuckling and cracking her knuckles in a joking way. But Theodore didn't pay attention, as he pulled out a slinky black dress from behind his desk and tossed it toward her. Vanessa sighed and pulled the T-shirt over her head. "But, Theodore?"
Theodore had started back toward the door, and his hand was back on the knob. He turned to face her. "What is it, V?"
Vanessa pulled herself from under the covers and crouched seductively on the bed towards him. She crept on her hands and knees towards the edge of the bed. "You look… really…amazing. Are you sure you don't want to stay here?"
Theodore was, once again, mesmerized by her beauty. His hand slipped a little on the doorknob as he stared at her. "Uh…"
Vanessa got off the bed and sidled up next to him, making sure to grind her body against his in a catlike way. She stared at him with huge eyes.
Theodore gulped. She did look really pretty, he thought as her rubbing against her made him press against the door.
"You're not getting away that easily…" she purred into his ear gently, running her long fingers along his chest and through his hair. She began to stand on her tiptoes and pucker her candy-pink lips.
A small ache twisted in Theodore's heart, wanting what was behind the door he was leaning against, but also wanting what was in front of him.
The question on his mind was which did he want more: what was behind Door Number 1 or what was in front of Door Number 2?
Theodore gently grabbed Vanessa's shoulders and pulled her off. "Vanessa, I don't think we should…"
"But we must…" Vanessa whispered to him, leaning into him even more.
"But…I just….I don't think…" Theodore tried not to look at the eyes that seemed to freeze him and render him helpless. He sighed when he saw the growing disappointment on her face. He wanted to please her, but he also really wanted to at least talk to the beautiful Chipette on the other side of his door. "Look, maybe we should just take a step back and think about this…"
But before he could finish getting the words out, Vanessa had jumped him, causing both of them to tumble backwards, and the next thing he knew, he was lying in his doorway on his back, the door wide open, and staring at a surprised Brittany upside down.
Her surprise instantly tuned to boiling fury as she noticed the half-naked girl on top of him. "What the hell is she doing here?"
"Uhhh…" Theodore chuckled nervously as he turned upright, shooing a shocked Vanessa off of him. "Surprise…"
Vanessa gave Brittany a bitter smile. "Hello, Britt. What brings you here?"
Brittany crossed her arms, several emotions flitting across her face until she settled for scarcely-suppressed anger. "I should be asking you the same thing, but…" She eyed the T-shirt that barely covered Vanessa's body. "…I don't even want to know. And don't call me Britt."
Vanessa's smile melted, an evil glare taking place.
Theodore rubbed the back of his head, trying to avoid the awkwardness of the situation. "Well, uh, it was nice having you here, Britt, but I think you should go-"
"I'm not going anywhere," Brittany snapped, not taking her flashing eyes away from Vanessa, who glared back.
Theodore's gaze shifted uncomfortably between the two girls. "Uh, Vanessa, maybe we should-"
"Why the hell are you here?" Brittany shouted at her, dropping her arms.
The mischievous smile reappeared on Vanessa's face as she put her hands on her hips. "I think you know why I'm here."
Brittany narrowed her eyes. "What are you talking about?"
"Oh, please," Vanessa said, rolling her eyes. "Do you honestly think you have a chance with him? He's my boyfriend, not yours."
Brittany blinked. "What makes you think I was chasing after him?"
"Like everyone at school hasn't seen you drooling over him," Vanessa replied coolly, "and I know what you two did, so I've decided to take matters into my hands."
"What do you mean, you saw us?" Theodore asked, innocent concern laced into his gaze as he touched her arm. Brittany gripped her own wrist in jealousy.
"I mean I saw you two swapping tongues in her kitchen the other day when I was walking home," Vanessa sneered, pointing at Brittany.
Theodore's face turned crimson at her words. "I didn't-I mean, I wasn't… I mean, it wasn't like that-"
"Oh, really?" Vanessa snapped at him. "Then what do you call it when you're practically pushing another girl on the counter while you're kissing her, huh? Were you even thinking about my feelings when you were feeling her up? Hmmm? Answer me, Theodore!" When he looked away in shame, she continued, in a softer voice, "Finding that type of stuff out really hurts, Teddy. Did you think I wouldn't find out? Especially after what happened between us last night?" She stared at him with wide eyes.
Theodore swallowed the lump forming in his throat. "V, I…"
She shook her head miserably. "You know what? Just… forget it. We'll talk about it later." She glared at Brittany through narrowed eyes and mouthed slut before striding back into the room and slamming the door.
"Wait, what did she mean when she said 'what happened between you last night'?" Brittany asked, her eyebrows crinkling in confusion.
Theodore's face burned. "Uh… well, uh… Vanessa and I…"
Brittany's eyes widened in realization. "Theodore…" she practically whispered, "please tell me you didn't…"
He took a deep breath. "I'm really sorry, Britt…"
Brittany stepped back, blinking back her tears. Before he could try to console her, she turned and rushed down the stairs, trying to get away. She heard him call her name, but she didn't turn back. She stumbled through the living room and hurriedly turned the doorknob, collapsing on the steps outside the door.
Why? She thought angrily, swiping tears from her eyes before they fell. Why did he have to sleep with her? How could he just use me like that? I've never felt so betrayed…
Theodore burst from the door and onto the steps. "Britt!"
Brittany turned, her heart leaping at the fact that he came to her aid. However, her brain was thinking the opposite. She rolled her eyes, not wanting to seem weak. "What do you want, Theodore?"
Theodore's voice softened as he looked into her endless blue gaze. "I just wanted to see if you were okay-"
"And then what? Go and stab me in the back again with your precious little girlfriend?" Brittany mocked.
Theodore blinked. "Why would I do that?"
Brittany huffed. "Don't you get it, Theodore? She's just a sneaky little sophomore trying to get some just so she can tell her bitchy little sophomore friends that she did it with a junior. She's just trying to get popularity from you, to take over your life. You seem to be too stupid to figure it out yourself, so I have to spell it out for you. Why don't you just stop it right now before you hurt yourself?"
Theodore glared at her, his concern dissolving into anger. "Why are you taking your mistakes out on me?"
Brittany scoffed. "My mistakes. You're the one that made out with me and didn't tell about it. It's not like we did anything. Not like I'd do anything like that with you…"
"You know what, Brittany?" Theodore said sternly, his voice on the brink of yelling. "I'm tired of you yelling at me for nothing. I didn't do anything wrong-"
"Yes you did!" Brittany stood up quickly, whirling around to face Theodore. "How could you just kiss me and not feel anything for me? I know you still have feelings for me, Theo, and it makes me feel kind of betrayed that you would go behind my back and sleep with that…that…lowlife."
Theodore softened a little, his heart leaping. "Britt…"
Brittany held up a hand to silence him. "You know, Theodore, I kind of feel sorry for you. I mean, I won't be around to hold your hand all the time like Dave does. This may be a fantasy for you, but soon it's gonna come down into a hard reality, and you'll see that everyone's just using you. She really doesn't love you. All she wants is just a person to give her attention, to give her love and tell her she's pretty. She doesn't want you. All she sees is just some pathetic loser that's totally desperate to make a first impression."
Theodore's mouth twitched, and Brittany saw him clench and unclench his fists. "You don't know her…"
Brittany crossed her arms. "Neither do you. I know a lot more than you do. Look, I can take care of you. I can help you get out of this desperate mess. I can do all the things that she can and more. Remember…" She stepped closer to him until she was nearly touching his nose with hers, her heart stuttering, but her voice hard. "I made you, and I can take you apart. I was the one that created you, and she and I can take you out in a heartbeat. You should stop moving forward before something goes wrong and you end up depressed and alone."
Theodore and Brittany stared each other down, her words floating in the dense air. Finally, Theodore spoke. "You know nothing about her. You don't know how I feel about her-"
"Yes I do-" Brittany started, but Theodore abruptly cut her off.
"Let me finish." He took a shaky breath, and glared at her with strong disapproval, making Brittany suddenly uncomfortable. "I know I've been teased, taunted, used, abused, and a billion other degrading words, but I'm none of those things anymore. Because of you, I'm a more confident person. It helped me to do all of those things that I was never able to do before. I can talk to girls. I'm not thrown into the trash can by the football players anymore. I finally have the healthy lifestyle that I've always wanted." His eyes sparkled a little at all the changes, and Brittany almost smiled at his good mood…until his expression suddenly darkened. "But, now that I realize all the good things in my life, I also realized that only one person has been a major cause of all the bad things of my life… and that person's you."
Brittany crinkled her eyebrows, confused. "How so?"
Theodore pursed his lips together, making her shift in discomfort. "You always teased me around other girls. You threw pennies at me, which made me a target for bullies. And let's not forget all the names you called me: butterball, Play-Doh, tubby, extra double cheeseburger." A bitter laugh escaped his lips. "I can go on and freakin' on. But the point is that you made me feel like I was no one. I was shy, never liked to open up, on the brink of depression. Hell, I even thought about suicide once or twice, that's how bad it was. And every day, I would just put on a smile and pretend to be nice when the truth was, I was falling apart at the seams. You were only there to make it worse."
Brittany fell silent. She had nothing to say to his pain, his pent-up anger. Her voice came out in a raspy whisper that choked back tears. "Oh…Theo, I'm sorry. I didn't know you felt that way. I would take it all back if I could. I… I'm not that person anymore. I want…to help you…"
Theodore snorted. "Too late for that now, huh?"
"Is there anything I can do to help you?" Brittany asked with fragile concern.
Theodore narrowed his eyes. "You know, the only person that's been there for me is Vanessa. She's been nothing but nice to me, the only person that actually wanted to listen when I had a problem, and you just…" he shook his head. "I can hardly look at you right now."
I can hardly look at you right now… the phrase echoed in Brittany's mind. "Look, Theo, I do care. I realized that I never cared about you. At all. But seeing you like this… in this new light…"
"You mean in my new form?" Theodore put his hands in his jeans pockets. "Like that really helps. You just like me because I'm hot now."
"No! That's not the case anymore." She took a deep breath. "Theodore, I'm sorry," Brittany murmured, the water dams in her eyes near bursting. "I…I just.."
"Get out."
Brittany blinked away the tears, but her vision kept blurring. "Wh…what?"
"You heard me." Theodore gave her a hard gaze. "Get out. Go home. I don't want to see you right now."
Brittany's face was getting hotter and hotter by the second. She could feel the desperate lump in her throat get bigger as she held back the sobs. "But, Theo, I-"
"Vanessa's my girlfriend. You're not." Theodore said, turning back to the door and turning the knob. "I thought you would be, but you're not." Theodore looked back to her and gave her a cold glance over his shoulder, adding, "End of story."
The door shut with a final slam, seemingly punctuating that statement.
Brittany pursed her lips, trying not to cry. But the urge became harder and harder as she stared at the red door, watching the only guy that really cared about her walk behind that door and slam it in her face.
Brittany rushed to the door and pounded as if her life depended on it. She called his name, begged him to let her in, so they could talk, so she could say the things she didn't get to say, so they could make up and be friends again, so she could say she was sorry…for everything…
But, after fifteen minutes of frantic banging and several threats from the surrounding neighbors, she slumped to the steps in a pathetic heap, wrapped her arms around her knees, and allowed her defenses to weaken.
As much she hated crying in public, this was a special exception.
And she just couldn't hold it in any longer.
As soon as he stepped into the house and slammed the door, Theodore leaned against it and pounded his fist against it in frustration.
Soon enough, he heard pounding on his door and desperate shouts.
"Damn it," he muttered, pounding his fist against the door again. He really thought that what he had done was right, setting the rules and telling her that he was no longer her puppet, that he was a good person inside that needed just as much love as she did.
But something didn't feel right. It felt as if he had slapped her, chastising her for all the times she would yell at him. She had been so nice to her, and he had taken her for granted.
Why did she have to be so amazing?
Theodore tried to open the door, at least to get a glimpse of that beautifully sad face, when a voice stopped him. "I think you did the right thing."
Theodore turned around to find Vanessa standing at the top of the stairs, gazing at him. He sighed. "Doesn't feel like it." He paused. "Wait. How were you listening…?"
"I might have opened your window for some fresh air and overheard a few of the things you were saying." Vanessa stepped down the stairs and toward him.
Theodore gave a small smile. "Was I really that bad?"
"No, I thought you did great." Vanessa returned the smile, moving closer.
Theodore sadly gazed at the door, where the pounding resumed.
Vanessa gave a sigh. "You should forget about her, Teddy. All she's done for you was ignore you and demean you. You shouldn't have to go through that."
"I know, but…" Theodore sighed again. "I feel like… I've let her down in some way. Like I defeated her, but…it's a hollow victory, you know?"
"She wasn't worth your time." She was now in his range, gently holding out a hand to touch his arm gently. "Just let her go."
"I-I can't." He pulled her a little closer but still looked longingly at the door. "Brittany's not the type of girl you can easily forget…"
Vanessa blinked, anger flashing through her blue eyes for a second, only to be replaced with a soft, seductive gaze. "Will…will this help you to forget about her?"
She grabbed his chin, forcing him to lock eyes with her. His emerald gaze melted into her navy one, and she stood on her tiptoes to kiss him.
Of course, all he could think about was the kiss: how warm and soft her lips were, how sweet they tasted, how her tongue gently ran over his teeth. He forgot where he was. He forgot why he was here. The pounding on his door began to fade from his mind, and he could feel his heart race. He never wanted this moment to end, but when he opened his eyes for a second to gaze at her, all he could see was Brittany: her heart-shaped face, her bright, icy-blue eyes, her lovely auburn curls, and he could practically taste her strawberry lip gloss.
Was he dreaming?
When they pulled away from each other, his image of Brittany flickered back to Vanessa, who was smiling suggestively. "Wanna go back upstairs for some fun?"
Theodore only hollowly nodded.
"Theodore, are you okay?" Vanessa asked gently, noticing his distant expression.
Theodore snapped out of it. "Huh? Oh, I'm fine."
Vanessa smiled and took his hand, kissing it gently. "Good," she purred, gently tugging him back up the stairs.
Normally, he could feel a thrill of excitement course through his bones. He would be laughing and giggling along with her. But all he could do was stare at the door, remember what he had said, and wish that he had just kept his big mouth shut.
"Okay, class, it's time to present your projects," Amanda said cheerfully in class on Monday. "Everybody get ready to present!"
Everybody groaned—except for Theodore, who beamed as if it was a chance to compete on a game show. He gave a cautious smile to his partner and murmured, "Are you nervous?"
Brittany scoffed and swatted his arm playfully. "Nervous? Why would I be nervous? I'm fine." She gave a small hiccup, and then giggled.
Theodore eyed her. "You okay? You seem…peppy."
Brittany smiled. "Why wouldn't I be peppy, Theodore?"
Theodore narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Are you okay with…you know…what happened Saturday?"
"Oh, that's bridge under the water, Theodore." She waved it away. "Nothing to be nervous about." She giggled again.
Theodore's eyebrows scrunched together, but he only nodded and turned back to the white box he had set on the table.
She discreetly snuck her plastic water bottle from her backpack and took a gulp of the liquid inside—some champagne she stole from Miss Miller's wine cabinets. Normally, she wouldn't resort to drinking during school, but she had been so stressed out about Theodore and Vanessa that she went into panic mode this morning during breakfast and the next thing she knew, she was filling up one of Jeanette's old water bottles up to the brim with alcohol.
She pursed her lips at the burn of the bubbles as it slid down her throat. Her vision blurred slightly as she swayed in her chair, trying to settle her balance. She really shouldn't have taken that huge swig before third period.
Amanda smiled in their direction. "Theodore, Brittany, why don't you present yours first? Since you've been working so diligently in class lately." She giggled.
Brittany hiccupped, resisting the urge to tell her that he was way out of her league, since Amanda was twenty years older that them.
Theodore cleared his throat. "Well, what we decided to do was create a tropical-themed cake for our project. Or project is a red velvet cake with a design in red frosting on top of white frosting. We also decided to use fresh flowers such as yellow calla lilies and petunias from the school's flower garden to accentuate the cake's tropical theme."
Brittany perked her ears as she listened to him constantly use the pronoun "we."
We. As in both of them did this project together.
She stared at Theodore and watched him lie. He didn't offer a guilty glance back.
The room started to murmur quietly, anxious at how the cake was going to look. They were ambitious as to see what the master chef of the class had created, but also worried that their projects would never live up to the expectations of the cake he presented to the class.
Theodore gripped the bottom of the white box. "So, without further adieu, we would like to present our project."
He lifted the box.
Everyone gasped, including Brittany.
The cake was so…beautiful.
The cake was exactly how he described it, with graceful swirl designs on it that accented the white cake. The yellow and pink flowers on it sat expectantly, as if they knew that they were pretty.
Brittany stared in shock at the cake. It so pretty, she thought, reaching out to touch the cake's soft petals. Is he really this talented? She glimpsed Theodore's way and noticed how he was surrounded by practically everyone, not just the girls this time, and how everyone was impressed and wanted a piece of his exotic-looking red velvet cake. She noticed the smile on his face as he carefully cut into the three-layered square cake and passed it on to one of his classmates.
Brittany couldn't help but feel a little sad. Maybe, if she hadn't been such a jerk to him, he would like her. He would be her friend. He would still like her for who she was as a person and never judge her like other guys did. She wished he would stop ignoring her and at least say that he was sorry for all the terrible things he'd said to her.
And then, he could, maybe…ask her out, too…
Brittany was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she hardly noticed the small piece of cake that her crush slipped her. She blinked and stared at it, touched by the offer, but when she looked up with a flirty thank-you smile on her face, he had already turned his back to her, talking to a pretty, petite brunette.
She almost ignored it, defeated and heartbroken, when she heard the girl's voice say, "This cake is beautiful, Theodore…"
Brittany's throat closed, heart leaping angrily in her chest. Why is she here?
Theodore smiled warmly. "I'm glad you like it, Vanessa. I made it for you."
Everyone awed, including Vanessa, who milked it even further by putting her hand over her heart and smiling shyly. "Oh, Teddy! That's so sweet."
Brittany resisted the urge to dry-heave. That should be her cake he dedicated to. He should be smiling like that at her.
But she'd blown it.
And there was no turning back.
The more Theodore smiled and blushed at Vanessa, the more she began to feel angry and jealous. She pulled the piece of cake closer to her, grabbed the plastic fork beside it, and shoved a forkful into her mouth. The soft, sweet taste of the cake began to soothe her nerves and numb the pain of her broken heart, just like how Theodore would comfort her whenever she was sad…
Brittany took another bite of cake, hoping to drown her sorrows in it, never wanting to come out.
Nearly four and a half pieces of red velvet cake later, Brittany was still unnerved by the flirting that was going on next to her. The pain in her chest wouldn't go away, and neither would Vanessa. They were still chatting, and the more Vanessa would touch Theodore's arm and laugh at whatever he said, the more cake Brittany would shovel forcefully into her mouth, chewing fiercely.
But it seemed like she was the only one who looked pissed. Her classmates looked like they were watching really enthralling soap opera or something. No one even noticed as the thin, beautiful Chipette stuck piece after piece of cake down her throat. Amanda had managed to sneak out sometime between Brittany's second or third piece of cake, and was still nowhere to be seen.
The happy couple was laughing, smiling, as if nothing had happened over the weekend. Her stomach gurgled as she shoved more cake in her mouth. Theodore was acting as if he hadn't hurt her, as if he hadn't shattered her heart into a million tiny pieces, as if he didn't care about her.
As if he never cared about her at all…
After gulping down another piece of thick red cake, Brittany felt her stomach churn in response. She gagged.
"Aw, poor Brittany," Vanessa said with a sympathetic smile, crossing over to her. "Is the widdle piggy gedding full alweady?" She baby-cooed teasingly.
Brittany grabbed her water bottle and glugged more of the champagne, slurring as she turned back to her, "I don't have to take any crap from you."
"Oh, really?" Vanessa asked, raising a delicate eyebrow. "Well, then, why don't you tell that to my face?"
Brittany gaped. Was she trying to start something? Who did she think she was?
Hesitantly, Brittany stood, gripping her water bottle and the desk. She wobbled over to where Vanessa was standing, her head spinning. She nearly tipped over leaning into Vanessa. Was she really this drunk already? "You know, Vanessa, this is a big girl fight. So why don't you stop and go back to your boyfriend before I kick your perky little ass across the school?"
"Oh, I can definitely see that you're in the perfect shape to kick my ass, alright," Vanessa said, eyeing the water bottle in Brittany's clutched fist. "And what's in that thing? Vodka?"
"Champagne. Wanna try?" And before Vanessa could answer, Brittany opened the water bottle and squirted her with the liquid.
"Brittany!" Theodore yelled, but was unsure as to do anything.
"Oh my God!" Vanessa stepped back, swatting at her dress. Her face was flushed with fury. "You are so paying for this dress!"
"Ooh, I'm shaking," Brittany giggled, and then hiccupped loudly. "Just remember, sweetheart, he moved in on me first." She made slurpy kissing noises in Vanessa's face.
"You are such a bitch!" Vanessa screamed, tears welling in her deep ocean eyes.
"You are the one that invented bitchiness, you backstabber!" She began to imitate Vanessa's high-pitched voice. "Oh, I'm so cute! I'm a sophomore! I'll just act nice to every girl I meet and then steal their boyfriends and sleep with them! Oh, I know! I'll even act cutesy to add even more points to the score when I know I'm just an ugly, bitchy cow!"
A loud slap was the only thing that echoed through the room after that.
Everyone gasped, leaning in to see more of the unfolding drama.
Brittany blinked, holding her stinging cheek. "Th-Theodore…"
Theodore's mouth was in a taut line. He balled up the hand that he used to slap her. "Stop. Just stop. Just stop"—he began gesticulating with his hands—"all this. Why do you feel like you have to antagonize my girlfriend, huh? Are you really that desperate to get my attention?"
It was Brittany's turn to feel emotion clawing at her stomach—or was that the champagne? "I—"
"Why do you always feel like you have to be on top, Brittany?"
Brittany's throat closed. "Theo, I-"
"What makes you think that your popularity gets you everything you want?"
An air bubble escaped her throat as she let out a small burp. "Theodore, I…"
"You know, not everyone thinks you're as great as you think you are."
Saliva began to pool in her mouth, but she swallowed it, murmuring, "Theodore, I don't feel good…"
Theodore sighed, apparently not hearing her as he continued. "You know, I thought you were a really great person, Brittany. I though we could be really great friends. I thought you were above acting superior to others." He shook his head sadly. "But, I guess I was wrong about you. I can't say I'm not surprised…"
Brittany could feel her stomach burble and tumble. Spit began to travel up her throat again. She moaned, her vision blurring. She stumbled forward, beads of sweat popping on her forehead.
Theodore's eyebrows crinkled as he realized something was wrong. He stepped forward, gently gripping Brittany's arm. "Britt, you okay?"
Brittany's breathing became shallow. Her vision fogged up. Her stomach throbbed and wiggled, preventing the cake she'd scarfed from coming back up. She tried to push him away, but missed him, her arms flailing drunkenly in front of her. "I don't need any of your help…" She burped loudly, feeling something crawl up her throat that wasn't supposed to come up in the first place.
Vanessa smirked at Brittany. "What's wrong, Britt? Guilt eating you alive?"
"I…don't…have to…take anything…from you…" Brittany felt her nausea take over. "I just…" She gagged.
"Maybe we should take you to the nurse…" Theodore said softly.
"Don't take her side, Theodore!" Vanessa protested. "She's just a—"
Brittany finally couldn't hold it in anymore, and she just seemed to explode. Chunky pinkish vomit spilled from her mouth to Vanessa, who was, unfortunately, in a target spot to be hit by the wave.
Everyone turned away in disgust, suddenly feeling nauseous as well.
"Ewwwww!" Vanessa squealed, careful not to touch her dress. "Get away from me! You're disgusting!" She turned to her boyfriend in a desperate fit. "Theodore! Get this gross stuff off me!"
Brittany fell to the floor from Theodore's grasp, still retching on the floor. She groaned, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. She looked to Theodore with desperation in her eyes and spoke in a small, soft voice, "Theodore…help me…" She hiccupped loudly, feeling another round of the Tilt-A-Hurl in her stomach start again.
"Uh…," Theodore stammered, glancing between the two girls. Which one should he help first?
"Theodore!" Vanessa's voice pierced his thoughts. "Will you stop standing there and help me? This is starting to seep through my clothes…" She hesitantly wiped at her dress with a napkin.
"Theodore…" Brittany reached out her hand that was not covered in her puke to him. Her heart hammered, her stomach still fluttering. "Help…me…"
Theodore locked eyes with Brittany. She looked so desperate to talk to him, to reach him, to be with him. She was the one that built him, trained him, and created him to be the greatest Adonis he could possibly be. But she'd taken advantage of me, Theodore thought bitterly. She'd called me names, teased me endlessly, and hurt me. I don't need her.
Then he looked to Vanessa, who was still looking at him expectantly, as if she owned him, as if he were a highly trained dog that was expected to be called whenever she needed him. She was the one that listened to his problems and synthesized with him, the one that comforted him when he was insecure, the one that loved him with all her heart and never let go. The one he'd slept with…because he loved her.
He loved her…right?
Right?
"Theodore…" Brittany muttered softly, her head lolling against her shoulders. "I…I'm sorry. For…for everything. I just…wanted you…to know that before you…made your choice. I…I really wish I could start all over. I miss you. I…I love you…"
Theodore blushed a little. Something in her voice told him that she meant it. every word. With a small smile he murmured, "Britt…"
Brittany smiled back weakly. "Theo…"
Bam! The door swung open, interrupting the tender moment.
"Is everything okay in here?" Amanda asked. Her hair looked disheveled, and she had bags underneath her turquoise eyes. She surveyed the scene, sensing the tension, and cringed repulsively at Brittany. "What's going on?"
Before anyone could say anything, Theodore sidestepped Brittany and her pool of vomit, trekking over to Vanessa. He put an arm around her shoulders and led her to the door as if she were a frail old woman who needed serious attention. He looked back to Brittany indignantly as he said, "Come on. Let's go get you cleaned up."
Vanessa sniffled, nodding and throwing a triumphant smirk at Brittany.
And he left. With Vanessa in his arms. Just like that.
Everyone started muttering, shaking their heads at the pathetic-looking girl still sprawled on the floor. For the first time ever, Brittany Miller had lost.
Brittany suddenly felt really sick to her stomach—and it wasn't just from the alcohol. She got off the floor, nearly slipping all over herself, grabbed the nearest trash can, and bolted for the supply closet, locking herself inside.
As soon as she was settled inside, Brittany burst into a fresh wave of tears. Even she couldn't seem to comprehend what had just happened. But whatever had happened, the last part was pretty clear in her muddled mind:
He chose Vanessa.
He chose Vanessa over Brittany.
And now he was gone.
Those thoughts just made the tears come in even stronger.
"Brittany!" Amanda's voice came through the thick door. "Brittany, come out! Please!"
Brittany didn't answer, but just hugged her knees to her chest.
"Brittany! Please, just open the door! Why don't we talk about this! I can go get the counselor! Just come out of there!"
Brittany pursed her lips together. No one could help her anymore. Her heart was already busted through, torn apart piñata-style.
No one could fix it. Not even a cheesy, underpaid high school counselor.
Brittany could feel that the champagne was not through with her yet, her stomach going through major turbulence. She sniffed, thinking, What else do I have to lose?
So, she took the trash can, leaned over it so her head was almost in it, and stuck her middle finger down her throat as far as it could go…
And heaved as hard as she could.
Sigh...This was a pretty emotional part to write. I'm exhausted even rereading it. Especially the end...
This also took about 15 pages on Word, so it better be pretty quality work.
So, how did I do for a comeback? Please tell me? Please, please, please, please?
Well, I gotta keep studying. Reviews, please! I love them more than chocolate (and trust me, that says a lot!). :)